COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A retired airman who dedicated 21 years to the United States Air Force is denied medical coverage for his autisitc five-year-old daughter.
Sara Bryan was diagnosed with autism at age four. The news was devastating to her parents, Jeff Bryan and his wife, Lisa.
Showing posts with label health insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health insurance. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Military Dad Pushes for Autism Coverage
MANCHESTER,
Conn. — Five-year-old Rachel Margaret Kenyon's father was serving
with the Connecticut National Guard in Afghanistan when she was
diagnosed with autism.
Sgt. Maj. William Kenyon of Manchester is an active-duty veteran
of Desert Storm — the early-1990s conflict in Iraq — as well as two
tours in Afghanistan. His wife, Rachel, is fighting within the military for better autism coverage through the armed forces' health insurance
program, TRICARE.
Friday, June 24, 2011
17 Wishes from an Adult with Autism
Another illuminating blog entry by the San Fransisco Chrnoicle City Brights' Laura Shumaker with recent Seton Hall graduate and adult with autism Kerry Magro.
SAN FRANSISCO- A thought provoking list from my friend Kerry Magro:
***
1. I wish that acceptance was easier to come by
2. I wish that loving one another was always on our mind
3. I wish that an "early diagnosis" remains a high priority
4. I wish that people would stop calling autism a disease
5. I wish that communication becomes easier for everyone with autism. We are trying.
6. I wish that we find more treatments to enhance the lives of people with autism
7. I wish that insurance for autism gets passed in all 50 states
8. I wish that the government would understand the need for services for the autistic in schools
9. I wish that autistic individuals can one day live their lives independently
SAN FRANSISCO- A thought provoking list from my friend Kerry Magro:
***
1. I wish that acceptance was easier to come by
2. I wish that loving one another was always on our mind
3. I wish that an "early diagnosis" remains a high priority
4. I wish that people would stop calling autism a disease
5. I wish that communication becomes easier for everyone with autism. We are trying.
6. I wish that we find more treatments to enhance the lives of people with autism
7. I wish that insurance for autism gets passed in all 50 states
8. I wish that the government would understand the need for services for the autistic in schools
9. I wish that autistic individuals can one day live their lives independently
Autism Insurance Reform Bill Sent to Governor
ALBANY, N.Y. - State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R, Merrick) and Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle (D, Rochester) today announced an agreement between the Legislature and the Governor’s office in support of legislation to enable individuals with autism spectrum disorders to receive insurance coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment. The bill (S.4005-B) would save tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses spent by families caring for individuals with autism and address insurance companies’ refusal to cover costs for autism treatments and therapies.
Autism Spectrum Disorders affect individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 110 children, including 1 in 70 boys, are currently affected with autism.
The legislation, which has been approved by the Senate and the Assembly and will shortly be sent to the Governor’s office for his signature, requires insurance companies to provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including behavioral health treatments, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Insurance companies would be prohibited from terminating coverage or refusing to renew, adjust, amend, issue, or execute a policy solely because the individual has been diagnosed with or received treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Spectrum Disorders affect individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 110 children, including 1 in 70 boys, are currently affected with autism.
The legislation, which has been approved by the Senate and the Assembly and will shortly be sent to the Governor’s office for his signature, requires insurance companies to provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including behavioral health treatments, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Insurance companies would be prohibited from terminating coverage or refusing to renew, adjust, amend, issue, or execute a policy solely because the individual has been diagnosed with or received treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Advocates Praise Autism Therapy Pay Bill
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Trish Washburn's son Buddy, who has an autism spectrum disorder, didn't speak until he was 4 years old.
Washburn, who lives in Colonie, said she cried at night thinking about the life Buddy would have if he couldn't talk.
"I became a crazy mom and made sure he got the things he needed," Washburn said.
Her insurance company denied payment for speech therapy, so she found grants. Buddy, now 10, talks nonstop.
The state Legislature passed a bill last week that would require insurance companies to pay for therapy for autistic children. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not signed the bill into law yet.
Washburn, who lives in Colonie, said she cried at night thinking about the life Buddy would have if he couldn't talk.
"I became a crazy mom and made sure he got the things he needed," Washburn said.
Her insurance company denied payment for speech therapy, so she found grants. Buddy, now 10, talks nonstop.
The state Legislature passed a bill last week that would require insurance companies to pay for therapy for autistic children. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not signed the bill into law yet.
Autism Insurance Bill Nears Passage
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A measure that would require insurance companies in Rhode Island to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism is nearing final passage.
The House passed the bill Tuesday, and the Senate passed an identical bill last week. The bills need to be reconciled before they go to the governor.
According to a General Assembly news release, the legislation would require private insurers to provide up to $32,000 a year in benefits for medically prescribed behavioral therapies for children with autism, up to the age of 15.
The House passed the bill Tuesday, and the Senate passed an identical bill last week. The bills need to be reconciled before they go to the governor.
According to a General Assembly news release, the legislation would require private insurers to provide up to $32,000 a year in benefits for medically prescribed behavioral therapies for children with autism, up to the age of 15.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Pennsylvania Dental Association Seeks General Anesthesia Coverage for Young Children and Patients With Special Needs
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) is urging state lawmakers to support legislation (House Bill 532) requiring insurance companies to cover the costs of general anesthesia for young children and patients with special needs.
Many young patients and those with mental or physical disabilities often experience stress when visiting a dentist's office. Some patients require general anesthesia before a dentist can treat them. However, many insurers refuse to cover the cost of anesthesia for dental patients.
Many young patients and those with mental or physical disabilities often experience stress when visiting a dentist's office. Some patients require general anesthesia before a dentist can treat them. However, many insurers refuse to cover the cost of anesthesia for dental patients.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Budget Cuts Threaten California Family's Ability to Support Special Needs Children
CORNING, Calif. -- Dan Steigman and his wife had depended on the HIPP or Health Insurance Premium Payment Program to reimburse them for most of their medical needs.
But due to state budget cuts, he hasn't received any money from the program since June.
He's already out more than $1,200 dollars and even worse he just found out in an email that he might not get a reimbursement check until November.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Massachusetts Advocates Seek More Coverage for Disabilities
As advocates are scrambling to ensure their cause is included in bills to widen insurance coverage in Massachusetts, it's nice to hear the voice of reason from state Sen. Karen Spilka, who happens to have a sister with Down syndrome. By providing services to children with delays now, the likelihood is they will require fewer services later in life.
Massachusetts legislators this year have filed a flurry of bills - more than 70 in all - that, if passed, would substantially expand the medical services insurers are required to cover for patients but also potentially raise health care costs.
Some legislators and insurers believe that patient advocates are racing to get their health concerns covered by law before the state’s system for paying doctors and hospitals is overhauled. A commission recommended earlier this month that the state dramatically change how providers are paid, and legislators plan to hold hearings on the issue in September.
Consider the Robies of Natick, whose 5-year-old daughter, Jordan, was born with a developmental delay that has hampered her progress in learning to walk, talk, and perform dozens of other routine activities.
One of the dozens of proposed health-related laws pending in the Legislature would make Massachusetts the third state in the nation to require insurers to cover therapies for children like Jordan, who are born with a mental or physical disability, in the same way they provide rehabilitative services to youngsters who are impaired by an illness or injury. Insurers typically pay for fewer therapy sessions for developmentally delayed children.
“If we can deliver services to children born with developmental delays and increase their functioning, we are making them more self-sufficient,’’ said Senator Karen Spilka, a Framingham Democrat. “I am not saying they won’t need any services later, but this will decrease the need for them getting government services later in life.’’
Massachusetts legislators this year have filed a flurry of bills - more than 70 in all - that, if passed, would substantially expand the medical services insurers are required to cover for patients but also potentially raise health care costs.
Some legislators and insurers believe that patient advocates are racing to get their health concerns covered by law before the state’s system for paying doctors and hospitals is overhauled. A commission recommended earlier this month that the state dramatically change how providers are paid, and legislators plan to hold hearings on the issue in September.
Consider the Robies of Natick, whose 5-year-old daughter, Jordan, was born with a developmental delay that has hampered her progress in learning to walk, talk, and perform dozens of other routine activities.
One of the dozens of proposed health-related laws pending in the Legislature would make Massachusetts the third state in the nation to require insurers to cover therapies for children like Jordan, who are born with a mental or physical disability, in the same way they provide rehabilitative services to youngsters who are impaired by an illness or injury. Insurers typically pay for fewer therapy sessions for developmentally delayed children.
“If we can deliver services to children born with developmental delays and increase their functioning, we are making them more self-sufficient,’’ said Senator Karen Spilka, a Framingham Democrat. “I am not saying they won’t need any services later, but this will decrease the need for them getting government services later in life.’’
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